Recent RV shipments. More RVs were shipped in the first six months of 2006 than in any other during the past 33 years. Nearly 225,000 RVs were shipped in the first half of 2006 — 14.3 percent more than the same period last year. RV shipments continued to rise, growing by 4.3 percent above the totals of the same month last year. Total RV shipments in 2006 are expected to make it the second best year since 1978.
 

Long-term forecast. Growth rates in the RV marketplace are likely to continue in the long-term. RV industry forecaster Dr. Richard Curtin, director of surveys of consumers, University of Michigan, projects the number of RV owning households will rise to 8.2 percent by 2010.
 

Industry size and revenues. The $14 billion-a-year RV industry earned record revenues in 2005 (as measured by the retail value of RV wholesale shipments).
 

Shipments history. RV wholesale shipments totaled 384,400 units in 2005—a 27-year high. In 2004 RV shipments topped 370,100. For an historical chart showing RV shipment by year, go to: http://www.rvia.org/Content/NavigationMenu/MarketDataTrends/Shipments/default.htm
 

Summer travel intentions. 93 percent of RV owners intend to use their RV as often or more frequently this summer as last, despite high fuel costs, reveals RVIA’s Campfire Canvass survey of RV owners. More than a third (37 percent) say fuel costs will not affect RV travel plans and 67 percent plan to drive more total miles. Others say they will adjust their travel plans to conserve fuel. Staying closer to home (45 percent) and spending more time in one place (52 percent) are the top ways RV owners will adapt, an April survey reveals.
 

Campground Business Increases. In a recent survey by Michigan State University and published by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, 83% of the nation’s campgrounds reported that summer reservations are the same or better than they were in 2005.
 

Fuel conservation options. In times of high fuel prices, research shows RVers spend more time enjoying the campground experience and less on the road. With more than 16,000 campgrounds nationwide, RVers can save fuel and cut costs by staying closer to home. Whether they travel five miles or 500, they can still enjoy a great outdoors experience.

RV rentals surge. Despite fuel prices, RV rentals rose 26 percent in 2005, according to a Recreation Vehicle Rental Association survey. RV rental companies remain extremely optimistic expecting a 20 percent jump in motorhome and travel trailer rentals in 2006.
 

RV vacation costs remain lowest. Almost half of RV owners surveyed said they plan to use their RV more this spring/summer to get away less expensively. RVing remains the least expensive mode of travel even when fuel prices increase. According to summer 2005 research by travel and tourism firm PKF Consulting, a family of four can spend 26-74 percent less on RV trips compared to other vacation types because of savings on hotels and restaurant costs. Details: http://www.rvia.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Vacation_Costs

Fuel cost analysis. Analysis of potential fuel cost increases in the 2005 PKF study shows that fuel prices would need to triple over current levels (September, 2006) to make RVing more expensive for a family of four than other forms of travel. Airfares and hotel rates are rising rapidly as fuel costs increase. "While fuel costs are a component of the overall vacation cost, fluctuations in fuel prices aren't significant enough to affect a family's decision of whether or not to take RV trips over other types of vacations," said Kannan Sankaran, PKF's lead researcher for the study. Details: http://www.rvia.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Vacation_Costs
 

IRS tax deduction. For the vast majority of RV buyers, the interest on their loan is deductible as second home mortgage interest.
 

Lifestyle trends continue to spur demand for RVs. In an age of over-scheduled families and busy lives, 90 percent of RV owners surveyed feel their RV makes it easier to take more frequent weekend getaways or mini-vacations. 91 percent of respondents feel that RVs contribute to a greater bond with their family, according to RVIA’s Campfire Canvass survey.
 

Go RVing ads spur sales. Seeking to boost the RV sales market, the Go RVing Coalition launched its fourth ad campaign this month during NBC’s Olympics telecast. The campaign, with the voice of actor Tom Selleck, targets adults age 30-64. The $66 million effort, featuring national broadcast and cable television, print, and Internet advertising, promotes RV market expansion programs by reaching millions more potential buyers. Details: GoRVing.com.
 

Population and demographic trends favor long-term RV market growth. Buyers aged 35-54 are the largest and fastest growing segment of RV owners, according to a new University of Michigan study commissioned by RVIA. Every day, 11,000 Americans turn 50, according to U.S. Census figures.

Boomers nearing retirement. RV sales will continue to benefit as aging baby-boomers continue to enter the age range in which RV ownership is highest. According to Dr. Richard Curtin, director of surveys at the University of Michigan, by the end of the decade, the number of consumers aged 50 to 64 will total 57 million — 38 percent higher than in 2000. Today one-in-10 vehicle-owning households in that age group own at least one RV.
 

RV ownership has reached record levels. Nearly one in 12 U.S. vehicle-owning households now owns an RV. That’s nearly eight million households — a 15 percent increase over the past four years and a 58 percent gain since 1980.
 

Vast potential market. By 2010, RVs will be owned by 8.5 million households — an eight percent increase, outpacing overall U.S. household growth of six percent, the Michigan study forecasts.
 

Purchase intentions are higher now compared to what the Michigan study found in 2001 and 1997. Two-thirds of current owners plan to purchase another RV. Among households that have never owned an RV, more than one-in-six expressed interest in a future purchase. Among all U.S. households, nearly one quarter (23 percent) intend to purchase an RV in the future.